Lars Aagaard

Lars Aagaard is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedicine - Research and Education, Aarhus University, Denmark. He is based at the Bartholin Building in Aarhus C and is actively engaged in research and teaching in the fields of gene therapy, RNA interference, and genome editing. His work focuses on developing viral vectors, particularly AAV and lentiviral vectors, for ocular gene therapy targeting retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

His research interests include the development of Dicer-independent RNAi systems, combinatorial gene therapy using microRNA and CRISPR/Cas9, and the delivery of RNA- and protein-based therapeutics. He also teaches Genetics and Personalized Medicine and supervises postdoctoral researchers, PhD, master's, and undergraduate students.

The recent publications (2022–2024) reflect a strong trend in RNAi therapeutics, viral vector engineering, and translational applications in ocular and systemic diseases. Themes include gene silencing, immune modulation, and regenerative approaches using engineered cells.

Aagaard actively contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer for journals such as Nature and Molecular Therapy. He has participated in key international conferences including ARVO, ASGCT, and ESGCT, demonstrating ongoing engagement with the global gene therapy community.

• Supervision of postdocs, PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students
• Active participation in international conferences and workshops
• Collaborative research across institutions, including Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo

He is involved in both basic and translational research, with potential for clinical applications in gene and cell therapy.